Our Staff

Ms Merran O’Connor

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – STUDENT WELLBEING

“Teaching is in my blood,” explains Merran. “My grandfather was a principal, my mother was a teacher and my sister was an English teacher. From my first class as a student teacher, I realised that I loved teaching and have done ever since.” Merran is responsible for overseeing the weThrive: Wellbeing@St Catherine’s Program and works specifically with the Heads of Year and staff to develop and promote wellbeing. “The wellbeing of our students is regarded as a priority at St Catherine’s. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of a program that encourages positive relationships, a commitment to life-long learning and the development of leadership skills, resilience, and social responsibility.” “I also teach Year 12 English, which is my favourite part of the day. The relationships I form with the students in the classroom are both unique and rewarding.” Merran has enjoyed many special moments during her time at St Catherine’s. “Every day is a highlight for me. I love watching the Year 8 students playing ball games outside my office, reading the Year 9 students’ reflections on their life changing moments from the Heyington to Highlands program, and the sincerity of the Year 10 gratitude notes from the Wellbeing Retreat.” For Merran, the greatest reward of being a teacher is “The magic of that light-bulb moment when a student fathoms an elusive concept that they have been grappling with.” “There is also something special about farewelling the Year 12 cohort each year knowing that they will enter the next chapter of their lives with confidence and optimism.” “Keeping pace with technological change that has altered how young people communicate, access information and view the world is, in my view, a challenge that teachers face today. ‘Cyber security’ and ‘cyber safety’ are still relatively new, but increasingly important topics,” explains Merran. Merran believes St Catherine’s greatest strength is the pastoral care approach that the School provides to each student. “St Catherine’s is a school where the girls are known as individuals and nurtured as learners. There is a sense of community and a love of their school that St Catherine’s girls exhibit that is not typical of every school. The respectful culture of academic endeavour is an accepted part of their school experience.” “I feel so fortunate to work in a school steeped in history that is equally committed to progressive learning. When Miss Jeanie Hood founded St Catherine’s in 1896 for the ‘women of the future’ she set the standard for generations to come.”

MR NICK RACINA ASSISTANT HEAD OF SPORT & PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER

Nick Racina has several roles at St Catherine’s. Nick is Assistant Head of Sport, Head of GSV Weekly Sport, Head of House for Beaulieu Blair, and Physical Education & Health Teacher. Nick completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science at the Australian Catholic University and a Graduate Diploma in Education at RMIT University. He commenced at St Catherine’s three years ago. Nick’s day often begins with a 7.00am training session for one of the two St Catherine’s GSV teams he coaches. “After that, I enjoy seeing the Year 12 Beaulieu Blair students for roll call. Being able to develop a connection with these students in their final year is very rewarding,” explains Nick. The remainder of Nick’s day entails a combination of sports administration and teaching. For Nick, the greatest reward of teaching is “The relationships that you develop with the students and seeing the positive impact that you can have on their wellbeing.” Nick is proud of the way the GSV Weekly Sports program has progressed and developed during his time at St Catherine’s. “We have managed to maintain excellent participation rates for a small school and have started to see some great results alongside our participation.” Nick believes St Catherine’s small class sizes helps to promote a strong sense of community amongst the students. “It is fantastic that students from across the year levels know each other, interact so positively and support each other.” “The numerous opportunities for students to get involved in Sport is another key strength and one that the students definitely take advantage of.”

MISS ANNIE TAYLOR PREP TEACHER

Annie Taylor joined St Catherine’s in 2017 as the Barbreck Prep Teacher. Annie completed a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Monash University where she finished in the top 10 per cent of her class. “I have always wanted to be a teacher,” explains Annie. “I enjoy helping students to reach their full potential and thrive on creating an environment where students feel comfortable taking risks with their learning.” When the bell rings at 8.30am, Annie’s classroom is “very busy with lots of fun and laughter, hard work and learning. The girls engage with tasks that involve working independently and in small groups, attend specialist classes in and outside of the classroom, and celebrate one another’s ‘ah-ha moments’.” “For me, the biggest reward of teaching is watching students gain self-confidence and discover a love of learning. I feel my goal as a teacher is to help students develop lifelong skills that will enable them to gain independence. For example, knowing how to problem solve and apply skills is just as important as memorising facts and information.” Annie has enjoyed getting to know the School community during her time at St Catherine’s. “I love watching the girls engage with their guests on Special Visitors’ Day, especially the musical pieces. Their friends and family watch with such pride and joy on their faces. It is very special to be a part of that.” Annie believes one of St Catherine’s key features is its ability to recognise and celebrate each student’s strengths and differences. “I feel that all of the girls have a chance to really shine at St Catherine’s, and the students really support one another.”

MS LIV CHER DEPUTY HEAD OF MUSIC

Liv Cher joined St Catherine’s in 2018 as the Deputy Head of Music. Liv has a Bachelor of Music, a Bachelor of Teaching and a Master of Education (Educational Management) from the University of Melbourne. Liv has worked as an instrumental and classroom teacher at a range of schools, including Geelong Grammar, Caulfield Grammar, the International School of Tripoli in Libya and Xavier College. Liv’s teaching schedule varies depending on the day of the week. “My day typically begins at 7.30am with Sherren Singers rehearsal or Theory Club, followed by Taiko Drumming with my Year 8 students. I conduct Year 6 Band, teach theory to the Year 7 cohort and work with the Year 10 students on a composition project, and usually end the day with after school musical rehearsals.” “Affecting lasting change on a student’s life is what I enjoy most about teaching. Long after the students walk out of the gates at the end of Year 12, they remember the musical, or funny moments on camp, or a conversation with a teacher in a time of turmoil. There are lessons learned that stay with students forever, and as a teacher, you are a big part of that.” “I believe the strength of St Catherine’s is the Kindergarten to Year 12 learning context that it provides. No matter what year levels you teach in a school, or what subjects, you have to know where students are coming from and going to. At St Catherine’s, teachers have the opportunity to scaffold the best possible learning experience for students across the span of their education from the Early and Primary years through to the conclusion of their schooling in Year 12.”

MONSIEUR ANDREW GOLD JUNIOR SCHOOL FRENCH TEACHER

Andrew Gold teaches French in the Junior School. Andrew has a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and a Master’s Degree in International Studies from the University of South Australia. He completed several French language conversation courses in Paris and Montreal. “I love sharing my passion and knowledge of the French language with my students,” explains Andrew. Andrew’s French classes are designed to encourage lots of student interaction. “Every class begins with a song featuring actions and dancing, followed by several activities and games involving movement, objects and group collaboration. These activities all help to reinforce the oral learning and interaction that occurs during the class.” “Students can extend their learning using the ‘green screen’ or iPad programs where they can create videos and tell their own French stories,” he says. “Having an authentic conversation in French with a student about a topic that is meaningful to them is what I love most about teaching. At this moment, the student has something to share and wants to use French as the medium by which to express it. This is a fantastic feeling and makes me smile every time.” Assisting with the design of the Language Lab in the new Junior School School – Barbreck is one of Andrew’s most memorable moments during the 10 years that he has taught at St Catherine’s. “Opening a space exclusively for Barbreck students to speak French was an important moment for St Catherine’s, and I was proud to have played a small part in that. Walking my students into the new Language Lab for the first time was a very special moment for me.”